Supreme Court to Form Panel to Resolve Farmers’ Grievances ‘For All Times’

Farmers Have Been Protesting at the Shambhu Border Since Feb. 13

Newsreel Asia Insight #317
August 23, 2024

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The Supreme Court has said it will establish a multi-member committee dedicated to permanently resolving the grievances of farmers. The decision includes ongoing dialogues between the Punjab and Haryana governments and the farmers protesting along the Shambhu border. The talks are intended to facilitate the removal of tractors and trollies that have been blocking a crucial highway since Feb. 13.

Farmers at the Shambhu border have been demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops among other things. The border near the city of Ambala connects Punjab and Haryana to the National Capital Region, including Delhi, impacting both commercial and private travel significantly.

On Aug. 22, Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta and Ujjal Bhuyan, who are overseeing the case, ordered both state governments to submit their action plans and the outcomes of their negotiations with the farmers to the court by Sept. 2, as reported by Deccan Herald.

During the hearing, it was disclosed that the Punjab government had adhered to a Supreme Court order from Aug. 12 by initiating discussions with the farmers. The talks led to a partial reopening of the highway.

The court extended its previous directive to maintain the status quo at the Shambhu border until further notice and provided a three-day window for Punjab to propose additional names for the committee’s composition.

The justices underlined the necessity of establishing a forum to address the farmers’ issues comprehensively, which includes not only MSP but also the guaranteed purchase of an expanded list of 23 crops at fixed prices. The justices noted that such measures should ensure a thorough and fair resolution of the grievances.

This Supreme Court case originated from a plea by the Haryana government, challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order to remove barricades at the Shambhu border. The barricades had been erected in response to announcements by farmer unions of a march to Delhi in support of their demands.

Advocate General Gurminder Singh of Punjab indicated that while the protesting farmers are open to discussions, they remain steadfast in their demands, including MSP, according to Business Standard. The farmers have stated that during prolonged agitations, their trollies serve as their only shelter against harsh weather conditions.

The court specifically stated that no politician would be included in the committee, maintaining a focus solely on expert and legal advice.

At least three farmers reportedly lost their vision due to the Haryana police’s use of pellet guns during the protests earlier this years.

A report by Human Rights Watch earlier said: “The Haryana government imposed temporary restrictions on internet services in seven districts in an apparent attempt to disrupt the farmers’ protests, a tactic the Indian government often uses for political purposes… Most of these accounts, including some barred on Facebook, belong to journalists reporting on the protests, farmers union leaders, and others supporting the farmers’ actions.”

It added, “On February 21, Shubhkaran Singh, a 24-year old farmer, died of a bullet wound to the head after police repeatedly fired on protesting farmers in the area bordering Punjab and Haryana states.”